How much should a custom T-shirt cost?

By Ross Bielema

It’s one of the first questions people ask when launching a T-shirt project, “How much should a custom T-shirt cost?” Whether you’re outfitting a team, promoting an event or building a brand, it helps to understand how custom shirt pricing works—and how to spot real value.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But there is a smarter way to make sure you’re getting the right shirt at the right price. Let’s walk through factors that can affect pricing, how to plan for your budget and why thousands of businesses trust 4imprint to help them get it right.

What is a good price for a custom shirt?

A good price isn’t always the lowest price. It’s the one that gives you confidence—because it fits your project, delivers the look you want, and holds up over time.When you order from 4imprint, you can be certain it’ll be done correctly, on time and on budget. Guaranteed.

For simple bulk orders (think giveaways, short-term events or one-off promotions), prices can land on the lower end of the spectrum. But as you move toward premium fabrics, embroidery or full-color imprints, your cost per shirt can go up—and for good reason.

“great price and better quality than our past vendor you have a new customer”
— Hanes^® Authentic T-Shirt product review provided by customer

Price variables to consider:

• Fabric quality: Lightweight basics are more budget friendly. Premium fabrics and brand names add polish—and cost.
• Decoration method: Screen printing is ideal for simple designs in large runs. Digital and heat transfer methods allow more color or detail at smaller volumes. Embroidery is best when you want a professional, long-lasting finish—perfect for logos, uniforms or designs with clean, bold details.
• Order size: Bulk discounts are real—and the savings stack up fast. The more you order, the more you save on custom T-shirts.

Not sure where to begin? Reach out to one of our friendly customer service representatives who can quickly estimate costs based on the shirt, imprint type and quantity. Also, our patented Glide™ pricing tool works behind the scenes to ensure industry-standard pricing—and you can check out our large selection of custom T-shirts to get started!

How much does it cost to make a custom shirt?

When you’re pricing out a project, it helps to break it down. A custom shirt isn’t just about the fabric—it’s about everything that goes into creating the finished product. It’s about helping your brand stand out in the best way possible.

At the most basic level, you're looking at:

• Blank shirt: Costs vary depending on material, brand and cut.
• Decoration: Screen print, full color, direct-to-garment, heat transfer or embroidery.
• Set-up fees: In some situations waived at 4imprint, but standard elsewhere, these fees cover the cost of creating the screen, plate, digitized file or stencil necessary to print your artwork on the T-shirt. That same stencil can be reused, so when it's time to order more T-shirts using the exact same design, 4imprint won't charge you for that set-up fee again.
• Artwork prep: Free at 4imprint—because design support should never be a surprise line item. 4imprint provides a free e-proof on every order so you can see exactly how your imprint looks.

If you're adding special touches—like sleeve prints, multilocation logos or custom names—the price will increase. But so will the impact.

And don't overlook the shirt type. A fashion-forward tri-blend costs more than a basic cotton tee. Likewise, moisture-wicking or performance wear will land in a different price tier.

“Fabulous performance shirt. Makes for a nice appearance.”
—A performance T-shirt product review provided by customer

Consider how you’re using the T-shirts as well. Ordering custom shirts for volunteers at a 5K fun run? Go for comfort and value—think lightweight, breathable cotton or blends that are budget-friendly and easy to move in Launching a line of branded merch? Invest in retail-level quality with premium fabrics, tailored fits and standout embroidery or specialty printing techniques that elevate your brand and justify a higher price point

How much does it cost to print 1,000 shirts?

Here’s where things get interesting.

When you scale to 1,000 shirts, pricing shifts dramatically. You're now tapping into bulk efficiencies—the more you buy, the less you pay per T-shirt.

Volume orders often come with:

• Price breaks at higher quantities
• Lower set-up costs spread over more shirts
• Streamlined shipping options offered—such a drop ships and split ships

“Our ladies love these v-neck t-shirts and because we ordered a large quantity, we received them with high-quality embroidery at a very low price (under 10.00). Shipped in less than a week too!”
—District Recycled T-Shirt product review provided by customer

For exact numbers, let us do the math for you. Our customer service representatives are ready to provide a hassle-free price quote that even includes shipping costs. It only takes a few minutes of your time but gives you peace of mind because the price you see is the price you pay. It’s especially helpful if your order involves mixed sizes, split shipping, or color variations (4imprint has you covered).

Want a fast answer to, “How much does it cost to print 1,000 shirts?” In most cases, you’ll pay significantly less per piece than you would for just a few dozen—and you’ll unlock additional value through free design help, free samples and top-notch customer service.

Tips to stay on budget with custom T-shirts

Keeping your custom T-shirt order affordable doesn’t mean cutting corners. It’s about making smart trade-offs—prioritizing what matters most and finding cost-efficient ways to bring your vision to life.

Here are a few ways to reduce cost without reducing quality:

• Choose a lighter-weight shirt (still comfy, still durable).
• Stick with a single-color print—it’s versatile and timeless.
• Print in one location instead of front and back.
• Simplify the design for best print quality.

Design services are another hidden value. At 4imprint, design help is included at no extra charge—which can save both time and money if you’re tweaking a logo or laying out T-shirt graphics. You’ll receive a free e-proof for your approval with every order. And when you order from 4imprint, you can be certain it will be done right, which is the ultimate money- and time-saver.

“The [T-shirts] look good and received compliments from staff [on] them. Appreciate 4imprint design team working up something different that included our logo.”
—Gildan^® DryBlend T-Shirt product review provided by customer

Want more savings ideas? Explore related pages on custom T-shirt design, custom T-shirt printing or women’s custom T-shirts for insider tips and visual inspiration.

Where to find affordable custom T-shirts near you

One of the most common questions we hear is, “Can I find affordable custom T-shirts nearby?” With 4imprint, you can be certain the answer is always yes—no matter where you are.

We ship across the U.S. and offer fast turnaround, clear pricing and responsive support. Whether you're in a big city, or a small town or province, 4imprint brings the same level of care and expertise to your project.

If you’re ready to explore options, start with a hassle-free, no-pressure quote. You can mix and match shirt colors and sizes, get help choosing the right imprint method and ask about fabric variations. It’s all part of making your life easier. We also offer free samples so you can actually see and feel the shirt! Just hit “Request a Free Sample” when applicable.

“I received several samples of shirts and chose this one as the final item. I loved the two color combination[s] and the material is perfect for what we needed. We had our logo embroidered in white and it looks it great!”
—A colorblock long sleeve T-shirt product review provided by customer

Looking for custom T-shirts nearby? We’ve got you covered.

Ready to create your custom T-shirts?

You don’t have to guess what your shirts will cost—or whether they’ll hit the mark. With 4imprint, you can get a free, all-inclusive quote, browse thousands of styles and work with real people who care about getting it perfect.

Whether you're ordering 12 or 1,200 shirts, we’re here to help you be certain that your custom T-shirts reflect your brand and respect your budget.